Every thought of the lost will aggravate not alleviate, their sufferings. Let us review one or two of the thoughts that will be ever present in their minds.

They might so easily have been saved! One act of contrition at the last, one grace accepted out of the countless graces that were deliberately set at naught, and they might have been with the Angels in Heaven instead of with the devils in Hell. To know that we have just missed some advantage that we might with a little trouble have secured for ourselves is always a tormenting thought. How much the more when it is Heaven that is lost!

If the advantage is lost purely through our own fault, this grealy increases our misery. We fools! We had so many chances, we knew so well that we were forfeiting our eternal inheritance! It is this that changes sorrow into remorse, and adds to suffering the horror and blackness of despair. All through our own fault! What a thought to dwell with me through all eternity!

What is it that we have lost? That will be the bitterest thought of all. We have lost the sweet music of Heaven, we have lost the company of the Saints and Angels, we have lost the enchanting happiness of gazing on the Sacred Humanity of Jesus in all its glory, and, above all, we have lost the unspeakable joy of the Beatific Vision. We fools!

Pray God that the dread of this thought may hereafter keep you from sin.